MIDDLETOWN, CT. – As the Wesleyan women's soccer team released a furious flurry of goals in a 7-0 offensive showcase over Western Connecticut State, it was Katie O'Connell '25 that led the charge with the team's first hattrick in five years on Tuesday night from Citrin Field.

Netting three goals, O'Connell is the first Cardinal to record a hattrick since Lauren Goetzman '19 tallied three goals against Rhode Island College. O'Connell's hattrick is also just the second hattrick for the women's soccer team since 2013.

Lina Rodriguez '24 opened the floodgates for the Cardinals at 16:24, dancing around two defenders just inside the box and sailed a shot into the top right corner. Two minutes later at 18:39, O'Connell struck for her first goal of the night after Audrey Lavey '23 played the ball down the left line to Stefanie Stoj '26, Stoj taking the cross pass to O'Connell at the right goal post for a chest directed goal.

With nine seconds remaining in the first half, Riley Buehler '26 gave the Cardinals a three-goal lead on a laser of a strike from outside the top of the box with Maria Utz '27 on the assist.

O'Connell's second of the night came at 50:01, causing a bit of confusion as it was not initially ruled a goal but awarded, nonetheless. Waverly Meyers '26 made contact first, after a Cardinals free kick, heading the ball into the left post before it was knocked in on the rebound by O'Connell. O'Connell followed with her final of the match at 60:55, tapping the ball in again with a chest bump off the corner kick taken by Kerenza Leahey '27.

At 72:40 Leahey finally got her own goal tally as she charged in from just inside the Wolves defensive zone, gaining possession from Serena Sink '24 at the midfield, and fired a heavy shot from out above the box and inside the left post.

The final Cardinals goal of the night went to Utz at 76:50, gaining the ball at the Citrin 20-yard line before tripping up a Wolves defender at the right line and making a beeline dash for the goalkeeper for the right-foot goal.

Suzana Imetovski led the Wolves with four shots on goal as the Cardinals outshot the Wolves 30-7.

Juliette Vemmer '25 made six saves in goal before she was relieved by Alex Naidrich '27, earning her second-career shutout and her second of the season. Gracen Regan recorded eight saves in goal for the Wolves.

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, Oct. 21, when they host Bowdoin College in an 11 a.m. NESCAC matchup at Jackson Field.